trophy watch: how sweet-ing it is

Sweet success: American Ryan Sweeting won his first-ever ATP title yesterday, capping a great week in Houston by beating Kei Nishikori in the final of the U.S. Men’s Claycourt Championships, 6-4, 7-6 (3). After his victory, Sweet took a little celebratory swim.

Moving up: Sweeting’s win vaults him from no. 93 in the world to no. 67, the biggest leap of any top 100 player this week.

Chasing Charleston: While defending champ Samantha Stosur continued to sputter, world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki had a solid week, including a this-should-be-the-final win over former world no. 1 Jelena Jankovic in the semis. Woz actually took out Russian Elena Vesnina in the title match, winning 6-2, 6-3 for the green clay vcitory.

After the cut: Vika wins in Spain and a Spaniard takes Casablanca.

Did someone say Miami? It was rather strange for Victoria Azarenka to be paying a small event like Marbella the week after she re-asserted herself among tennis’ elite last week with her win in Miami. But don’t second-guess Vika: her win over unheralded Croat Irina Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-2 in the final put her into the top 5 for the first time in her career.

Me, too! Don’t feel too special, Ryan Sweeting. It was a first-ever title for Pablo Andujar, as well. The smiling Spaniard dismissed Potito Starace 6-1, 6-2 for his W in Casabalanca.